Tank



Dec. 16, 1941. w. J. WACHOWITZ I 1 2,266,133

TANK

Filed Sept. 4, 19s! 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

' Waite/ d Mac/20ml? Q ZW/WM Dec. 16, 1941. ,w owrrz 2,266,133

TANK

Filed Sept. 4, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 1941. v w. J. WACHOWITZ 3 Filed Sept. 4, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet s d w 4472141 I @4 1941- w. J. wAcHowlTz 2,266,133

TANK

Filed Sept. 4, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,lmndm Patented Dec. 16, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i 2,266,133 r Y Walter J. Wa chowitz, Waukesha, Wis. Application September 4, 1937, Serial No. 162,403 3 Claims. ,(o 259-104) The present invention relates to an improved construction of tank which has been devised primarily for the processing of buttermilk wherein heating, cooling, and agitating operations are performed in a certain sequence. While this is the principal field of utility of my inventionit can also be employed for processing or storing milk, cream, ice cream mixes, and other food commodities.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide improved agitating means for the purpose of commingling the contents of the tank, and also for the purpose of effecting a heat interchange to raise or lower the temperature of the contents. Such agitating means comprises vertically extending agitating surfaces which result in the same degree of agitation being established substantially at all levels in the tank, whereby a uniform agitation of all portions of the liquid contents is insured. Furthermore, such agitating surfaces assure a uniform and effective agitation irrespective of whether the tank is only partly full or is entirely full. The contents of the'tank are adapted to be heated or cooled by contact with the outer wall of the tank, which is surrounded by a jacket through which a heating or cooling medium is circulated. My improved agitating means serves to obtain a relatively high rate of heat exchanging contact between the contents of the tank and said outer wall, whereby the temperature of the contents can be raised or lowered in a relatively short space of time. In its preferred embodiment, said agitating means comprises two oppositely rotating agitators which insure a maximum degree of displacement between the inner and outer portions of the liquid batch, so that all portions of the batch are continuously brought into contact with the outer wall of the tank for heat interchange. Such arrangement is advantageous over the use of a single agitator, because in the latter type of construction the entire batch tends-to partake of the rotary movement of the agitator, and hence there is not the same degree of displacement between the inner and outer portions of the batch. The oppositely rotating agitators of my invention have an improved arrangement of curved surfaces which'also insure a maximum degree of displacement between the inner and' cooling medium to have the greatest rate 0f flow through that portion of the jacketwhich,

constitutes the: shortest path between the in- .let and "outlet portsof the jacket. Hence, there are zones .or. areas where the flow is relatively low orpractically nil, with the result-that some portions of the wall'of the tank are at different temperatures than other portions. This isavoided in my improved construction by causing the heating or cooling medium to flow'in an upward direction in the jacket and by having its discharge occur into an annular spill-over channel which completelysurrounds the upper portion .ioffthe jacket. The spill-over edge of this channel is horizontal, so that an. equal discharge .occurs at all points around said edge, thus assuring an equal rate of upward flow at all points around the jacket. j

Other objects and advantages of the-invention willappear from the following detailed description of one preferred embodiment thereof. In the accompanying drawings illustrating such embodimentv j V V Figure -1 is a vertical axial sectional view of .my improved tank, taken approximatelyon the plane of the line I of Figure 2; p 7 p 3 Figure 2 is a plan view of the tank; 5 Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on'the line '3-3 of Fi u e 1;' V Figure; is a detail sectional view showing the mounting of each upper agitator shaft and the {driv t e Figure 5 is a; fragmentary sectional View showing a 'pedestal'type of'bearing for; each lower a i to a t.

Figure 6 is a'similar sectional view showing a modified construction of lower bearing;

- Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken approximately on, the plane of the line 11 of Fig'urel; and p I Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view on a larger scale showing a modified form of inlet conduit. Referring to Figure 1, the tank of myinven- "tion comprises three concentric shells 2|, 22 and 23. The inner'shell 211 constitutes the container or tank proper for receiving the liquid to be treated. 'The'sp'a'ce between the inner and in- "termediate shells 2| and 22 constitutes a. jacket spacev24 through which the temperature controlling liquid is circulated. The space between the intermediateand. outer shells 22 and 23 is j filled with a heat insulating material.25,l prefer- ;ably consisting of cork,:although any other desired heat insulating material may be employed. The inner shell 2| 'is preferably constructed of "Allegheny metal or any other stainless steel or alloy which is resistant to the action of milk or cream, ice cream mixes, and foods of like nature. The cylindrical portion 21a of the inner shell is secured to the upper and lower heads 2 lb and 2 lo by welded joints which are immune to the action of lactic acids, etc., these joints being ground down and polished off smooth with the inner surface of the container, thus eliminating any unevenness or projections which might provide lodgment for particles of milk fat or food and breeding places for bacteria. The intermediate shell 22 also has its cylindrical portion 22a prefer- 1 ably secured to the bottom head 22c by a welded joint to insure a water-tight jacket space 24, the

upper portion of this intermediate shell-being secured to the inner shell 2!, as indicated at26.

the tank. This ofise't disposal of the agitator axes also avoids the likelihood of establishing a relatively low velocity area lying in line with the inlet end of the path of flow indicated by the arrow at and in contact with the wall of the tank, which area might not have as high a rate of new of displacement as in other portions of the Suitable spacing members, 'ir'iterposed'btweeh the lower portions of the inner and intermediate shells, transmit the weight of the inne'r'shell and its contents to the intermediate shell. The tank is mounted on four pedestal supports 28, each comprising a base casting 29, a length of threaded pipe 3|, and a nipple 32, the latter having flanged attachment to the bottom head 220 of the intermediate shell. The opposite ends of the pipe section 3| are reversely threaded so that-rotation of this pipe section serves to adjust the tank to get it perfectly level.

Theagitating means comprises two vertically disposed baffles '34 and 35, both extending from the lower portion of the tank substantially to the upper end thereof. As shown in Figure 3, each of these agitator baflles consists of a relatively thin metallic plate having its oppositely extending vane portions reversely curved in a gradual arcuate curve. The two agitators revolve in opposite directions, and the vane portions are so curved with respect to such directions of rotation that tank. Such ofise-t disposal of the agitator axes is not essential to the successful operation of my improved apparatus but is of real advantage intanks of; relatively large diameter.

The, efliciency with which the liquid contents of sucha tankare agitated for effecting heat interchange through the. walls of the tank can be readily computed by noting the time required to effect a predetermined change of temperature of a given quantity of liquid within the tank, based upon aknnwn rate of flowof the heating or cooling medium through the jacket 24, with such heating or cooling medium maintained :atxa certain temperaturei Tests based on this procedure indicate that the curvature :of the agitator vanes "ls- 31i important taetor in t'h 'ha t exchanging eifioienoy of the apparatus. Best results have been obtained where tneyane portions or a-bafil'e having an overall span of from 1 7 to so inches are curved on-a rauius-ora prosimatery #1 0 inches,

struck some center approximatel 'midt between a fii aifiltlieal liheafid a line parallel the convex surfaces of the vanes constitute the lmitheret'o and tangential to the outer circle of leading surfaces, whereby the agitators exert an outward impelling or displacing action on the liquid contents within the central zone of the tank. The two baffles are preferably timed so that the vanes thereof are approximately 90 degrees out of phase to each other in thei-r rotation, and their-axes are preferably spaced sufficiently far apart *sothat their circles of revolution clear each other. This timed relation and spaced mounting of the bailles or agitators avoids a high velocity constricted area between them, thereby minimizing the creation of Whirlpools, vortices, and other turbulent formations. It will-be further noted that the circle of revolution of each agitator is spaced a substantial distance from the nearest side wall of the tank, therebyalso avoiding high velocity constricted areas between the agitators and said side walls, and further'miniinizing whirlpools, vortices, and objectionable turbulent action. It will be evident that the opposite directions of rotation of the two agitator blades will induce some degree of flow through the zone definedbetween the agitator axes, the direction of such flow being indicated by the arrow 93. Tests conducted in tanks of relatively large diameter with the I axes of the two agitators 34 and 35 located on a diametrical line of the tank, such as on the line 11-11 show that with the agitators revolving in the directions indicated, there is a tendency to ,ror'm one or moresman Whirlpools or vortices in 2 the liquid contents at points to the left of such diametrical line. Any such Whirlpools or vortices are objectionable in the operations of processing buttermilk, c're'am, et'c., becausethey tend to-draw air down into the mixture, whereas "itis one of revolution; However, I wish it to be understood that-suchproportion's are not to be regarded as iim-itative 0? the invention, but have been given f0! llh filliflfls 0f affording a. 'COIII- &5 fp'l'tedisclosure of the "invention. My impi'oved is Within the DuT'ViEWOf my invention to employfon'ly a single agitator of the construction shown disposed substantially "centrally in the tank, although such embodiment does not s'e- "cure as effective agitation because ofthe tendeney of "the liquid contents "to partake of rotary manner such single agitait'or.

secured to the upper ends of both agitators are shafts 41 "(Figure '4), each of which extends upwardly through a tube 42 welded to the heads 21b and 23b bf the'inner and outer shells. Each the "shaft n is spaced from its associated 'tube I2 to provide an annular breathing passage 43' commumcanngb tweentne interior or the tankand atmosph re, rheupper" fehd a: each tube 42 proj'e'ct'iii'g [slightly beyond the upper head 2% "to (prevent condensate or dirt from entering the breathing channel 43. A protecting cap and slinger 44 is secured to each "shaft H in spaced relation toithe upper end of the tube 42., such cap having a depending annular flange which prevents condensate" or lubricant iron; working down along its shat l 5 i t PR-; seea extend upwardly throughgholesin opposite -eni's;o'f a the shaft 4 I.

head 2 l0.

platform casting- 46; which. is suitably secured to the topof the .tank'and on which are-mounted the electric motor; andthespeed reducing gearing for driving the agitators." Each shaft also extends upwardly, through a mounting plate 41 which is secured to theplatform 46 and which hasa shouldered hub 48 for mounting the inner race of an anti friction bearing 49., A bearing housing mounted on the shaft encloses the bearing 49'and isjprovidedwith an internal annular shoulder seating on the outer race of Said bearing; Rigidly secured to the shaft 4! and abutting the bearing housing 5| is a worm wheel 52. The weight of the agitator is transmitted through the gear wheel 52 and bearing housing 5i to the anti-friction bearing 49, so. that the weight of the" agitator is suspended on said bearing, the latter also carrying the radial loads of The upper end of each shaft 4! is journaled in a bearing bracket 54 which has suitable attachment to the platform 46-. As shown in Figure 2, each of these bearing brackets has a forked portion providing spaced bearings 55 for mounting a shaft 56. A worm 51, secured to the shaft 56 between the bearings 55, meshes with each worm wheel 52. Releasable couplings 58 connect the shafts 56 with the opposite ends of a shaft 58 extending outwardly from the sides of a speed reducing gear housing 59. Worm gearing orany other suitable type of speed reducing gearing within the housing 59 transmits a drive from the electric motor 6 I to the shaft 58. The agitators can be driven at any desired speed, depending upon the commodity being agitated, the size .of the tank, etc., but for the processing of butter- 'tends downwardly therefrom for engaging in a step bearing 65 (Figure 5). This bearing comprises tripod supporting legs 66, each provided at its lower end with a laterally extending attaching foot 61 through which extends an anchoring screw 68; Each of these screws threads into a closed-bottom bore in an anchoring block 69 which is welded to the under side of the bottom split longitudinally into separately removable halves. By such construction, said bearing bushing can be readily removed for affording direct access to all of the surfaces of thebearing as- 14. The latter has a threaded shank which' screws into a closed-bottom bore formed within an anchoring block 16 which is welded to the under side of the bottom head 2lc. The thread on the shank 75 has a direction such that the rotation of the associated agitator will not tend to unscrew the bearing plug 14. This construction of bearingenables the agitator baflles to be extended down into close proximity to the bottom of the tank; and 'the'tapered bearing socket 13 can be readily cleaned, and, in fact,- is'practically Interposed between the shaft 64 and bearing boss 55 is a bearing bushing H which is .mechanism.,

self cleaning because of itsinverted relation; The agitators: can be inserted into and removed from the-tank through'armanhole :18 provided in the top, ofthetank, this manhole having a: suitable cover 19:; The. upper shaft 4| of each agitator is it will be seen from Figure 1 that a conduit '84 opens into the'lowermost pointof the jacket'substantially centrally of the tank, this conduit serving both as an inlet and" as a drain for the'jacket. Heating'or cooling medium entering through said conduit flows upwardly through the jacket to the upperportion thereof where it discharges into a spill-over channel or trough 85. Said channel ex tends entirely around the upper portion of the jacket; space and has an outwardly "and downwardly bent attaching flange 86 which is welded to the intermediate shell 22: The top edge 81 of the member 85 is horizontal so as to constitute an annular spill edge or-lip, over'which the heating or cooling medium will spill in a flow which is uniformly distributed atall points around the spill channel.-:Thebottom portion of the trough defined between this channelmember 85 and the shell 22 slopes downwardly toward-one'side of the tank, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1. At the lowermost point of-said trough, a discharge opening 83 in the lower portion of the channel member communicates with a discharge conduit 89 extending downwardly through the jacket space. As best shown in Figure 7, this discharge conduit preferably comprises a channel having its lateral flanges welded to the shell 22, the upper end of said channel being welded to the member 85. The lower end of the discharge channel 89 communicates with a discharge outlet 9| extending downwardly through the bottom of the tank. The circulation of the heating or cooling medium through the ja'cket is limited to a rate such that the spill-over trough 85 always has ample capacity to carry off the discharge, so that this trough never becomes full. As previously remarked, byvirtue of the uniform rate of spill at all points around the edge 81, there will necessarily-ensue a uniform rate of upward flow at all points within the jacket space 24. Hence, all portions of the container shell 2| will be uniformly heated or cooled by the flow of the medium, the absence of localized areas of higher or lower temperature enabling the heating or cooling function to be performed more rapidly. The heating or cooling medium ordinarily consists of water, although for relativelylow temperature cooling operations, brine or other refrigerants may be employed. p

If desired, .one or more safety outlets 94 may be extendedfrom the upper portion of the jacket space, abovethe spill-over channel 85, the purpose of these outlets being to prevent the development of any injurious pressures in the jacket space 24 if the normal discharge flow through the outlet 5| should become blocked.

The liquid to-be processed is introduced into the tank through the inlet conduit 95, shown in Y Figure 1. This conduit comprises two or more sections detachably coupled together by coupling collars 98. The upper; section 95' extends upwardly through a nipple}!!! which is welded to the upper heads-2w and23b of the inner and outer shells; Secured to-the uppcr conduit section 95 "is a ferrule having an outwardlyprojecting flange :at its lower end -provided'with ahevled seat for engaging :on a cooperating b'evele'd seat tor-med on the upper end of the nipple 99." A

'unionnut m2 engages over said flanged lower end of the ferrule 1m and screws'down over an -outer thread on the nipple -SS. open'tne removal of the n'ut'l 02, the entire conduit-fi cambe'iifted out of the tank through the nipple 98 whn it is desired to clean and sterilize this inlet conduit. The separation of said conduit into a plurality of sections enables the conduit to taken I apart for removal where the overhead clearance is obstructed by a :low ceiling, and also enables the sections to be introduced into a sterilizing chamber of smaller size than the length-of the entire conduit. To prevent the lower end ofthe conduit f rom being defiected'obiectionably by theisurging motion of the liquid contents in the tank during the agitation; the lower end of the conduit is adapted to be passed down through a bracket ring or pipecla'mp 1 GB. I'he latter is-secured to a stud I-9T whith threads into a fixture 1B8 welded to the inner shell 21. A colla'r I 09, secured to the lower conduit section, is adapted rest-on the upper edge of thesupporting ring IDS, whereby to support thewe'ight 'of the inlet conduit ou said ring so that slip joints in the coupling collars 38 will not become separated during the agitation of the liquid contents.

In Figure 8 I have illustrated a modified construction of inlet'condu'it This construction is the same as that previously described except that an air venting tube It!) extends centrally through the conduit 95, anda helical ribbon H1 "is disposed between this air venting-tube and the -conduit. 'Ihe upper-section 95 of the conduit has a collar IM secured thereto ior clamping engagement against the upper :end of the nipple -99 by the union nut 1112, substantial-lyas previously described; This upperconduit section has detachable threaded engagement with a tee connection it which establishes connnunication with a'laterally disposed section 85"" 0f the inlet conduit. 'Theair venting' tube H0 extends out through a cap Hill screwing 'over the upper "branoh of the -T connection Hill, and mounted onthe open'upper end of said tube H0 is a pro- "tecting hood or cap I l 2which prevents the entrance of dirt into said tube. The relationship might be reversed by continuing the conduit 95 'straightup and having the vent tube H9 extend later-ally out through 'the side wall of the conduit. The helical ribbon l l l ertends throughout "all or the major portion 0f the conduit and causes a gradual descent of the liquid into the tank so that air is not entrained in the "liquid;

as distinguished from spilling the liquid down through a vertical pipe, which usually entraps a substantial quantity of air. A series of small holes H 3 are provided in the tube H'O 'sothat any air liberated from -the liquid in "the flow of the "liquid down the spiral ribbon 1 H can be vented q I with the side walls of .said tank, and :driving directly into the tube I it].

The liquid contents are adapted to be discharged from the tank through 'a substantially horizontal outlet conduit H4 'connectingwith an outlet valve H5. The inner portion of the condu'it lid has a notched end which is welded to the lowermost portion of a depressed sum-p or trough hi8 which is for-med in the bottom head No "of the inner shell, the bottom heads-0T the intermediate and outer shells being depressed --correspondirng'ly to accommodate this sump. as

'best shown .in Figure 3, said sump is of elongated formation, so that no whirlpool or vortex can form in the liquid during its discharge from the tank, the avoidance of such whirlpool permitting of a more rapid discharge of the liquid and also preventing the introduction of air into the liquid, 'Ihehorizonta'l disposal and location of the outlet conduit I'M and valve H5 renders the valve readily accessible, so that it is not necessary to crawl under-the tank to discharge its contents.

Entering the top of the tank is a peep sight or observation window H8 through which the contents of the tank can be observed, suitable provision being made for illuminating the interior of the tank at such times. The tank is also provided with a thermometer, preferably communicating with the interior thereof through the side wall. lhese features are fully disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,985,702, issued December 25, 1934, and therefore need not be described in detail here. The tank is also preferably provided with a second manhole disposed in the lower portion of the side wall to facilitate entrance into the tank for the performance of cleaning and sterilizing operations.

While I have illustrated and described What I regard to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, nevertheless it will be understood that such is merely exemplary and that numerous modifications and rearrangements may be made therein withoutdeparting from the essence of the invention.

I claim: 7

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a tank for receiving liquids, a pair of substantially vertical agitators in said tank for causing the liquid to have circulatory contact wth the side walls of said tank, and driving mechanism for rotating said agitators, each of said agitators comprising substantially continuous vertical vanes extending the length of the tank disposed approximately in diametrically opposite relation, said two agitators rotating in opposite directions through circles of revolution which are relatively close together but clear each "tom or the vanes .50 as to impel the liquid horizontally and "substantially without imparting vertical motion thereto.

2. inlapparatds of the class described, th'e'conrbi-nation of a tank for receiving liquids, a pair of substantially vertical agitators in said tank for causing the liquid to have circulatory contact -menhanism for rotating said agitators, each of said agitators comprising substantially :continuous vertical vanes extending the length of the" tank and :disposed approximately in dis.-

metrically opposite relation, each vane having a convex' iorward surface which is the leading surface in the direction of rotation of said agitators, said two agitators rotating in opposite directions throughlcircles of revolution which are relatively close "together but clear each other and each circle of revolution being spaced more than half its diameter from the nearest adjacent wall of said tank so as to avoid objectionable turbulence therebetween, said agitators being timed so that the vanes of one agitator rotate substantially ninety degrees out of phase with respect to the vanes of the other agitator, the shape of said vanes being of a substantially uniform degree of cylindrical curvature from top to bottom of the vanes so as to impel the liquid horizontally and substantially without imparting vertical motion thereto.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a tank for receiving liquids, a pair of substantially vertical agitators in said tank for causing the liquid to have circulatory contact with the side walls of the tank, each of said agitators comprising substantially continuous vertical vanes extending the length of the tank and disposed approximately in diametrically opposite relation, means mounting said agitators with their axes offset from a diametrical line extending through the tank, and driving mechanism for oppositely rotating said agitators in such directions that the body of liquid in the zone between said axes is impelled toward said diametrical line, said two agitators rotating through circles of revolution which are relatively close together but clear each other, and. each circle of revolution being spaced more than half its diameter from the nearest adjacent wall of said tank so as to avoid objectionable turbulence therebetween, said agitators being timed so that the vanes of one agitator rotate substantially ninety degrees out of phase with respect to the vanes of the other agitator, the shape of said vanes being of a substantially uniform degree of cylindrical curvature from top to bottom of the vanes so as to impel the liquid horizontally and substantially without imparting vertical motion thereto.

WALTER J. WACHOWITZ. 

